What Is Website Cache?
Website cache refers to the website data that web browsers download and store for future use. When a browser performs website caching, it can use cached content to load the site instead of fetching resources directly from the server. Caching is the process of temporarily storing copies of data on the browser so that users can access it more quickly.
Google Cache generates duplicate snapshots or cached copies of a website when Google crawls it for indexing. It evaluates the current condition of a web page after each crawl and saves screenshots from websites to present the cached version of the page on Google search if a web page is temporarily inaccessible. These cached web pages help searchers get the user experience on search engines.
How to Check Google Web Cache?
You can check the cache for your web pages by searching Google. You need to click on the small arrow next to a URL in the search results. There, you can find a small drop-down menu that takes you directly to the cached version.
You can also access Google’s cache directly. However, this requires you to know the exact URL of the website. Let’s say, for example, the website you are checking is “xyzwebsite.com.” You can use the following procedure to check its web cache on Google search:
- Enter the following URL in the address bar of your browser: http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:
- After the colon, you need to mention the URL of the webpage you are looking for: http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:xyzwebsite.com
After entering the URL, you can see the Google cached version of the web page.
How Does Caching Work?
Here is the step-by-step process of how a website cache works:
- The process starts when a user requests a web page on their browser. Let’s say the website URL is www.xyzwebsite.com.
- The cache will check whether the requested resource (the website or the HTML file) already exists. It can be in the browser cache or the CDN.
- If the requested file is already there in the cache memory, it is called a cache hit. The file is then delivered from the cache, enabling the user to access the website instantly.
- If the requested file does not exist in the cache memory at the time of request, it is considered a cache miss. In such situations, the data is retrieved from the primary source, leading to a slower load time for the user.
Although there are a few differences between providers, the process remains fundamentally the same for most caching procedures. In order to fully understand the importance of caching, you need some clarity about DNS and CDN caching.
Domain Name System (DNS)
DNS is a crucial aspect of the Internet. It allows users to enter a domain name into their browser and access their desired website via an IP address. DNS caching allows a server or client to store DNS records locally and use them again in the future when needed. To complete this process, a time-to-live (TTL) value is used for every DNS record. This value tells you for how long a DNS client or server can cache a record. Different applications have different policies for caching DNS data.
Content Delivery Network (CDN)
CDN is a geographically distributed network of servers that physically brings services closer to users. It is a crucial web solution for business owners who want to ensure the fast and optimal performance of their sites or applications. CDNs use caching servers to boost the delivery of content to different locations worldwide. These servers are called Points of Presence (PoPs) or edge servers. CDNs copy frequently requested content, delivering content faster. By serving content from nearby PoPs, CDNs reduce the load on sites and applications.
The Importance of Website Cache
Website cache is primarily used to improve the website’s loading speed. However, it offers a bunch of other crucial advantages:
Minimizes Load
When a website displays a cached web page, it does not need to engage with the website’s server. So, there are fewer server requests, minimizing load and maintaining uptime.
Promotes SEO
Loading time is one of the major ranking factors for search engines like Google. Since the website cache improves the site speed, it can have a positive impact on the site’s ranking.
Reduces Bandwidth Consumption
Website cache allows a web browser to display a website without downloading static content. Less data leads to lower bandwidth consumption. This enables the website to load faster, even on a slow connection.
Enhances User Experience
A slow page loading process is one of the biggest reasons visitors leave a website. When your site loads quickly, visitors have a more pleasant user experience. With website cache, you can reduce the bounce rate.
Boosts Conversion Rates
Studies suggest that a few seconds of improvement in load time can significantly impact the conversion rate of your site. When visitors spend more time on your site, they are more likely to take action.
Types of Website Cache
There are two major types of website caching techniques: browser cache and server-side cache. They both have similar functions, but they store cache in different storage locations. Let’s learn more about these website cache types:
Browser Cache
Browser cache, also referred to as client-side cache, involves storing the website’s data on the end user’s local system. After displaying a web page, the page’s resources are temporarily stored. When the user visits the website next time, the website can load using the browser cache.
This feature eliminates the need to connect to the server every time the user tries to visit the site. Browser cache allows the browser to store a site’s resources locally. However, if you switch to a different browser or device, it needs to fetch website data from the server once again.
Server Cache
Service cache involves caching the website’s data on the server. After processing the requested resources into an HTML file, the server temporarily stores it. When a user revisits the same web page, the server already has the requested HTML file ready to send.
This feature ensures that the server does not have to recompile the queried resources, helping shorten the process. Generally, server caching uses a content delivery network (CDN). Web browsers automatically download the cache from the closest CDN server to accelerate the load times.
The server cache can store several types of data, including stylesheets, API calls, and HTML documents. It also has various caching systems: full-page, object, and fragment.
- Full-Page Caching: This type of caching involves storing a copy of the complete page. With this cache, the server can send the requested page immediately. It does not require compiling the required resources first. The caching system can speed up pages that look similar to most visitors, such as the homepage, About Us page, or product page.
- Object Caching: With object cache, the servers store the database query results. The data transmission will run normally during the first visit. After processing and sending the HTTP response, the server will save a copy of it. Later, when the server receives the same content requests, it will serve a response using the cache instead of the database. This will help reduce the server load and allow the website to perform consistently.
- Fragment Caching: In this type of caching, the server stores specific elements of a website. These cached elements are generally static, such as the title page, widgets, and extensions. Since the cache already offers some of the resources, the server will provide less data. With fewer files, the data transmission speed increases, resulting in shorter load times.
Conclusion
Apart from boosting a website’s load speed, caching helps improve the site’s ranking, user experience, bandwidth efficiency, and conversions. DNS and CDN are two of the most effective examples of caching, enabling fast online content access. If you run a business, DNS and CDN caching can help you increase website traffic and reduce bounce rates. However, storing old cache may lead to unwanted issues. That’s why it is recommended to clear the cache occasionally.